E&E has an exemplary success record, which is due in no small part to its precise methods and disciplined approach. The agency maintains a large number of training facilities across the Earth-local arm of the galaxy, the locations of which are classified.

During a relatively liberal period of the Empire's governance, E&E came under heavy criticism for using the same ruthless methods and legally dubious practises against citizens as they did against foreign powers. This criticism was characterised as subversive by E&E, with the knowledge and consent of the Imperial political bodies, and swiftly abated. Since then E&E have received little in the way of public opposition, but a brooding undercurrent of resentment and suspicion is still evident in most Imperial populations.

E&E has a three-tiered officer structure. Invigilators are responsible for entire star systems, the Monitors beneath them are responsible for individual planets and facilities, and Operators carry out the legwork at the bottom of the ladder.

​E&E also makes use of unranked field agents throughout the galaxy; these are employees and certified contractors rather than sworn officers. Field agents are crucial in information gathering.

Roles

Operators

Operator is the first level of ranked assignment in the Eyes and Ears command structure. An operator has duties which include local data collection and the administration of tasking and mission prioritisation.

Operators carry out their duties within a specified sphere of influence, usually staying within the bounds of the planet, station, or colony for which their supervising monitor has responsibility.

Monitors

Monitors have responsibility for a single planet, station, or colony. They are required to assess indications of threat to the Imperial Combine — from within or without — and must observe their sphere of influence to that specific end.

Monitors supervise a number of operators to help them manage this responsibility, with the exact number depending on the population size present at their posting.

Invigilators

The intelligence needs of an entire star system are overseen by an invigilator, and it is this invigilator to whom the system's monitors all report.

Invigilators have a secondary duty in that they are each responsible for a specific "champion role" with respect to counter-espionage and intelligence gathering. For example, Silane Creid was responsible for monitoring the movements of the Empire's domestic enemies.